THE guest house was aflame with lights.

As I neared it, there was borne to my ears a burst of drunken shouts accompanied by a volley of musketry.

My lord was pursuing with a vengeance our senseless fashion of wasting in drinking bouts powder that would have been better spent against the Indians.

The noise increased.

The door was flung open, and there issued a tide of drawers and servants headed by mine host himself, and followed by a hail of such minor breakables as the house contained and by Olympian laughter.
I made my way past the indignant host and his staff, and standing upon the threshold looked at the riot within.